General permits

A general permit is intended for facilities that:
  • Perform the same or similar operations
  • Emit similar air contaminants
  • Use the same or similar emission control technologies
  • Are subject to the same limitations, standards, and requirements.

General construction permits and general operation permits have been developed for asphalt plants, rock crushing facilities and various types of printers. The general permits for printers are for natural minor sources, synthetic minor sources and major sources, and include lithographic heatset (web) offset, lithographic non-heatset web, lithographic non-heatset sheetfed, screen printing, and digital printing. The general operation permits for the crushing facilities and hot mix asphalt plants do not expire.

Who will be eligible?

Each general permit will have specific eligibility criteria that are spelled out in the permit application and the source-specific factsheets listed above.

What are the benefits of a general permit?

  • Easy to get. Permit applications are written in language familiar to facilities within that category.
  • Fast. By statute, DNR must make a decision on a general permit application within 15 days of submittal.
  • No construction permits required. In most instances a facility operating under a general permit can install new equipment or modify existing equipment without a construction permit as long as the equipment meets the eligibility criteria of the existing general operation permit. However, replacement of a primary crusher, or the drum and burner of an asphalt plant at the same time, require a construction permit.
  • Consistency. For similar sources in Wisconsin, the permits will look the same.

    • Are there any drawbacks?

    General permits are standard permits, so if a facility needs source-specific limitations, or cannot meet a requirement set in the general permit, they would need another type of permit.

    What should I do if I’m interested in a general permit?

    For more information about General Permits contact David Panofsky at 608.267.2016. For more information about Crushers and Hot Mix Asphalt Plants, contact Joe Brehm at 608.267.7541.


    Factsheets on General Permits


    Permits and Modeling
    Last Review Date: May 12, 2009
    Next Review Date: May 12, 2010
    Last Revised: Tuesday August 04 2009
    Last Revised: Tuesday August 04 2009